"First Person" is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Journal of Cell Science, helping early-career researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Matt Zdradzinski is a PhD student in the Twiss lab where he studies neurobiology. His work is focused on mRNA localization and its effects on axon growth, development and regeneration. Matt is co-first author on an article titled ‘Selective axonal translation of the mRNA isoform encoding prenylated Cdc42 supports axon growth’, published in the journal. He shares his views on his work and experience in an exclusive interview. Read more about it here!